CLEMSON – Based on a simple eye test, Clemson’s defense felt less constricting than usual in the 20th-ranked Tigers’ 76-66 loss to the Virginia Tech Hokies Wednesday night at Littlejohn Coliseum.
The sound of shoes squeaking to stifle a three-point shooter seemed rare. There were fewer sightings of a breakaway dunk off of a steal. Tiger fans were seldom able to erupt after Clemson defenders forced a Hokies player to pick up his dribble — a sound that has become synonymous with Brad Brownell-led squads.
“Our defense, I don’t think, was very good in the first half,” Brownell said after the loss.